Our History

Jefferson City was established as state capital of Missouri in 1821. As the population of Jefferson City grew so did the number of Lutherans. Rev. Carl Thurow from Zion Lutheran Church outside of Jefferson City organized the Lutherans in the city in 1869, and Evangelical Lutheran Trinity Church was established in 1870. A church building was built at the corner of Monroe and McCarty Streets in downtown Jefferson City.

One of the main reasons for Trinity’s founding was the purpose of Christian education in Jefferson City. Trinity Lutheran School was established in 1871. At that time the pastor also served as teacher. A new church building was built in 1895, and the old church building was converted into the school. The school continued to meet in the old church until the congregation purchased the old Central Public School building in 1923.

Having grown substantially throughout the 1940s and 1950s, the congregation outgrew the downtown facilities and purchased land on Stadium Boulevard for the construction of a new church and school. The new campus was dedicated on April 23, 1961. Since then Trinity has continued to expand its ministry. Additions to the building have included new church offices, a new gymnasium, a youth activity center, and additional classrooms. Trinity Lutheran Church and School has been a fixture in the Jefferson City community for 150 years, and we look forward to God’s continued blessings for the future of our ministry.